I’ve become addicted to Instagram over the past few years. As it turns out, I’m not the only one. According to the latest numbers, there are 800 million other people around the world who feel the same way every month. My problem, however, is that Instagram is blocked in China. Ugh. So how is it possible to use Instagram in China?

As you’re aware, Instagram requires a mobile phone connected to the internet in order to post photos to the platform. Unfortunately, if you were to open the Instagram app in China it would never load. Eventually the app will serve you the message: “Not Connected to Internet”.

For this reason, using Instagram in China requires a solution that allows your phone to get past this government censorship.

Solution: A “VPN” Connection

These free solutions unfortunately don’t work well on your mobile phone where you spend most of your time on Instagram.

Like it or not, this is where you’re going to need to fork over a few dollars to purchase a subscription to a VPN or “Virtual Private Network”. Most people use a VPN to secure their internet connection but it’s also an effective tool to circumvent internet censorship.

Personally, I have 2 different VPNs installed on my phone. The reason for this is because in China, there are times when one doesn’t work while another does. My go-to VPNs for my phone are ExpressVPN and NordVPN – I recommend them because they work well and they both offer a generous 30-day money back guarantee.

It’s a pretty simple connection process. After I’ve created an account and downloaded the VPN app on my phone, I just click “connect”. Within seconds I am able to start viewing and posting on Instagram!

Tips to Use Instagram in China

Having lived in China for 10 years and experiencing the frustrations of the internet, here are a few tips for you to keep in mind as you download a VPN and use Instagram in China.

Download a VPN before You Arrive in China: I know many people who wait until they arrive in China to start thinking about censorship, but by then it’s too late. China doesn’t just censor the internet, they make it intentionally hard to access VPN websites. Do yourself a favor and download ExpressVPN before you leave for China.

Use a 3rd Party App: I’ve used a service called Hootsuite (click this link for a 30 day free trial) that allows me to upload my photos from my computer and schedule them to be posted on Instagram. It doesn’t always work without a VPN, but it can be an interesting workaround.

Be Patient: Using Instagram in China is always going to be slower and more frustrating than doing so in your home country. That’s just part of the game. Be patient and let the VPN work its magic.

Conclusion | Accessing Instagram in China

Whether you’re looking to access Instagram in China in 2019, or if you just want to get past China’s censorship to visit Facebook, Twitter, Gmail or one of the hundreds of other blocked websites, you’re going to be looking for the best VPN for China.

Oh, and once you do get set up, if you start to post some photos of Xinjiang on Instagram, make sure to tag #farwestchina! I’d love to see your photos and connect with you. :)

About Josh Summers

Josh is a writer, musician and entrepreneur who currently resides in Urumqi, capital of China's western province of Xinjiang. He has been traveling and writing about this region since 2006 and has no plans to stop in the near future.